Pork skinning machine



April 5, 1932. w. H. ,ocoNNoR I i 1,852,137

PORK SKINNING MACHINE Filed Dee. 27, 1926 ,3 sheets-sheet 1 attain/m3 April 5, 1932' w. H. ocoNNoR 1,852,187

PORK SKINNING MACHINE,

Filed Dec. 27. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 liggen 31a/vento@ arbol ne 11 April 5, 1932. l H. o'coNNoR y 1,852,187

PORK SKINNING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27, 1926 5 sheets-sheet a .VUE I Patented Apr. 5, 1932 1 Y i: Y

UNITED sTATEs Parar orrice Application filed December 27, 1926.Y SerialvNo. 157,146.

This invention relates in general to imheretoforeessential, and theproduction of a provements in Skinning machines and more commodity of. greater market value. particularly has reference to improvements YetV another object of this invention is to in a pork Skinning machine generally disprovide a Skinning machine having an imi4 closed in a co-pending application Serial No. proved receiving mechanism adapted to facil- 5e 69,038 iiled March 14, 1925. Y tate the reception of the meat and So posi- V While the machine forming the subject tioned as to allovv the fatto be more easily matter of the above mentioned application Severed from the Skin at theactual point of` constitutes an operative apparatus Jfor removadhesion. i Y i ing the skin from pork and other meats, the A further object of this invention is to pro- 60 improvements embodied in this invention are vide a Skinning machine having an improved adapted vto render the mechanism more eflis release mechanism Vadapted to facilitate the Cien@ removalof a product after it has passed Heretofore inthevart there have not been through the machine. i. y, provided adequate protective devices on ma- A still further objectof this invention is 65 chines of this character, causing the operato provide a Skinning machine having a tion thereof to be extremely hazardous. mechanism adapted to mantainthe conveyor Likewise such devices have been ill equipped elements on an even surface when approach-l in respectY to control mechanism, a factor ing the cutting element. y that has tended to detract Jfrom the maximum Yet a further object of this invention isto eiciency as Well as increase the danger ele-l provide; a lskinning nachne having a conment, veyor mec anism a a te to maintain anA The various mechanisms used previous to even Sillfaoe and preverrit soilingthe product. this time to perform the actual Skinning op- This invention consists in geni-nalv of an eration have further proved generally lacklIIlpI'OVed Skinning device p embodying the ing in efficiency in that it has been necessary general principles of the Inahlle dSClOSGd to retract the product after it has passed 111 my Co-pending application referred to through the machine, thereby creating an above, but `having refinements adapted to d additional step and consequent economic loss gllhthe mlmlm @eli 0f gPGIM/OL i" as Well as loWerinO the market value of the e Illa-C 1D0 1S. qulpp Wit PIOGCUVS product in that thteJ fat left adhering to the Shlelds t0 guard lgalst COmHlOIl inadvertskin is a loss from the Worth of the meat and GDC@ and MSO a IBCIPIOCal CQIITOI moChanSIn causes a distinct decrease in the value of the adptd toile/n gfe falllty ffollea'jion- Skin i n improvec cu 1ing mec anism as een An object of this invention is to proyide Qrofldfdhdesgned t0, Sever the ffm? from the 85 an improved Skinning machine provided lin ad .t e @15u31 pomt of adheslnv thereby With adequate protection against common fdelclgg(cgrtto Operative inadvertance' Y hieher marketable value and thus-` allovvin O Y .C y a 415 Vnogr OiOJQCt Ofius lnvnon 1S lo pmi distinct economic gain. The slats compigis- 90 e a mm ng ma@ me avm@ `a.rec1pr0ca ing the conveyor element have had kinstalled manual and Pedal conm-Oi mechamsm adapt a mechanism designed to facilitate the receped to Emiel" tim mechallsm of @he madame tion and release of the stock to and from the r more efficient in operation and increase the machine and mounted on the frame in a mmh "3 Safety facto* ner to maintain an even surface and prevent o5 Stlu another (')blt 0f 'thls 111V511t1011 1S t0 buckling, especiallyl in proximity to the cut- PTOVlde a Sknlllg maChDe hvllg 2L Slllting element. There is also embodied in the ning mechanism adapted to sever the,` fat apparatus a support for the receptionoi:l the from the Skin the actual point of adhesion product adapted to be tilted to facilitateV the l i thereby dispensing With an unnecessary Step reception of the stock on the machine and a 100 mechanism in engagement therewith to fix the support at any desired angle.

With these and other objects in view which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed,

' with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising my invention, may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have'shown in the accompany ing drawings means for carrying the same inj, to practical effect, Without limiting the impr'ovenientsiin their useful applications to the n particular constructions, which for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification: Y

c improved knife blade;

Aliigiis -a side elevationalview of the improved conveyor mechanism shown ina receiving position; n

Fig. 7 is a top plan view showing a double section of the conveyor mechanism;

Fig.`8 is a top plan view showing lthe improved slat comprising the conveyor mechanism shown approachingrelease;

"Fig 9 is a front elevation sectional view of the mechanism for preventing' buckling of the conveyor slats;

Fig. V10 is a side elevational sectional view l of the mechanism for maintaining the slats on an even surface when blades;

Fig. 11 is aY top plan Vview of Fig. 10; Y Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the approaching the knife slat extending and retracting mechanism. Y

Referring by numerals to the drawings wherein the same numerals Vdesignate the same elements throughout and more particularly to Figure 1, 1 represents a rectangular frame comprising corresponding side sections preferably cast in one piece with vertical sections 2 connected at the top by a horizontal sectionl 3 also preferably integrally cast. The corner sections 2 and the horizontal sections 3 are connected and'braced by an arcuate plate 4 extending from the base.` of one corner section to the base of the correspending` corner section, and connected centrally to the horizontal section 3 by a web 5.

The side sections are further strengthened and made rigid by a flange 6 on the horizontal section 3 formed integral therewith, and with flanges 7 on the corner sections 2. rI`he corner sections 2 are provided with base plates 8 formed integral with a ange 9 on the arcuate base plate 4.

The side sections are'connected by cross bars 11 'mounted between the' corner sections and bolted thereto. It is of course to-be understood that any form of cross bracing may lbe employed whichv will not interfere with the operative parts of the machine, but yet will impart strength and rigidity to the frame. e

Corresponding transverse parallelshafts 12 are journaled on the respective ends of: the frame in bearings 13 bolted to the flanges 7 on the corner sections'2. The shafts 12 are provided with aplurality of oppositely disposed sprocket wheels, not shown, which are connected by corresponding parallel link chains 14 supporting slats forming the 'conveyor element of particular construction, to be hereinafter described.

One of the shafts 12 is provided with a sprocket pulley 15 connected by a chain 16 to a drivingmechanism mounted on top of the frame, comprising a shaft 17 mounted parallel to the shaft 12, and having a sprocket pulley-18 secured thereon adapted to engage the chain 16. `Mounted yupon shaft 17 is a conventional friction clutch which is adapted'to connect and disconnect shaft 17 from engagement with shaft 17--ar,.` The sprocket-pulley 18 is rotatedby a gear 20 engaged by a worm gear 19 rotating with a shaft 21. The shaft 21 is operated by an electric'motor 22 supportedl on the frame by any suitable means. Clutchy 35 is adaptedl to be operated optionally by either a hand lever 36 pivotally mounted on bracket 36e-a vto swing in a horizontal plane as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or by means ofa foot pedal mechanism, consisting of a pedal 37 pivotally mounted by a bracket, 42, to one leg, 2, of the frame of the machine and connected by a link 41 to a bell crank lever 39 and a second link 38 to the clutch mechanism 35.` By this arrangement tlie operator can quickly and readily control the operation of the machine by hand orfoot as may be mostconvenieiit. A conventional guard structure may be suitably secured over the driving gear to insure safety in case ofinadvertence on the part of an operator. It is manifest that the position` pair of plates 26, formed as shown in Fig. 3. The plates 26 are provided with apertures designed to receive bolts 29'. Theboltsf29 are adapted to secure a knife blade 31 and a knife .bar 32 tothe plates 26. The plates 26 are provided with threaded apertures'which receive adjusting screws 80,. mounted in adjusted position by lock nuts 89. Positioned in other Openings are threaded members provided with cups 8l, adapted to receive a projecting lug associated with the resilient hook 83. of hollow tension hooks 83 provided with internal spiral springs 84 and shafts 86. The shafts 86 are held by bolts 88 to swivel members 87 mounted on the frame.

rIhe knife blade 3l, as shown in Figure 5, is ground to a keen edge and curled back by drawing a smooth hard steel along it leaving a sharp edge, smooth on the under side;

It has been demonstrated in practice that an ordinary fixed sharp knife edge will cut into the rind when skinning meat, especially if it be creased or of irregular contour, causing the production of imperfect material and necessitatingthe removal by hand of cling-V ing particles of fat. These difficulties are surmounted by the employment of the knife blade embodied in this invention in conjunc-l tion with the improved tension supportV mechanism.

This blade held by tension is adapted to force the rind down on the table causing the straigtening of all irregularities and thus severing the fat at its natural dividing line without penetrating the rind. The blade is designed to be clamped at its back edge to the knife bar, 32, which is resiliently retained in position by the hooks 83 thus permitting the cutting edge to adjust itself to varying thickness of rind.

There is shown in Figure 6 a section of the conveyor mechanism comprising slats 40 mounted on the links of the chain 14 by bolts 45. The slats are provided with sharp pins 44 and blunt pins 43 projecting from the opposite sides. A feeding table 27 is adjustably mounted on the frame in the same plane as the slats 40 in their top position upon which is placed the stock having the usual fat portion 46 and a rind 47. The table 27is hinged so that it may be raised or lowered to facilitate the introduction of the stock.

A lever 28 is keyed on the end of one of the shafts l2 and provided with a swinging pawl 32 adapted to engage a fixed ratchet 33. Vhen the motor is not in operation the slats may be operated by turning the shaft 12 through the lever 28 and the slats fixed in position by engagement of the pawl 32 with the ratchet 33.

The slats 4() are mounted on the links 14 off center so that at the feeding table 27 the sharp pins 44 stand out tangent to the arc Resting on cups 8l are a plurality 56 extending in an angular plane and atthe same timeathe adjoining slatl with the bluntpins 43 is under the circle.,

By this. structure the skin is engaged by the pins 43 and 44 and drawn into 'the orifice and by slightly retarding the fat portion 4:6, only the skin 47 is retained;

The slats 40 are shown as advanced on the links 14,l although it is manifest they may be retarded or-on center if, so desired. The sharppins 44 are bent L-'shaped and slipped in holes provided in the slats and welded to a pin bar 48, better shown in Figure 8. The' slats 40 provided with blunt pins 43 and sharp pins 44 are secured to a pin bar 48. The pin bar 48` is provided on either end with -L-shaped projectionsv 49 secure-d to springs llreld by screws or any other suitable means 52. VAdapted to loe/superimposed over the pin bar 48 is a shift bar 53 having lateral slots 54 adapted to receive nuts 55 allowing transverse movement.. There is further secured to the vshift bar 53 a spring secured to the slat 40'by any suitable means 57. The front end of the shift bar 53 is provided at one end with a roller 6l adapted toengage Va cam 62 located on one end of the machine.

The skin is=released from the sharp pins 44at-the discharge end of the machine. Y The pin .bar 48 is operated by the shift bar 53 and spring 56 by contacting with the cam 62 at the side' of the machine so located, near the end, that when the slats make the turn, the particular slatat the/time moves forward firstI which releases the skin `from the blunt pins 43; then the shift bar-roller contacts with the cam, causing the release of the pin bar and the consequent withdrawal of the sharp pins,44 from` the skin leaving itfree to dropf Y Vhen the shift bar roller has passedthe cam, the opposite end` of the bar touches the barrier to positively restore its position causn ing the pin bar tio be moved forward and the sharp' pins restored and held in place. Y

In Figure 9 is shown an improved means for holding the slats drawn on an even surface.L A holder bar Vonl top ofthe slats is objectionable in that it is not in line with the draught of lthe chain and has a tendency to cramp, especially when the stock held between the yslats causes the bed to `draw hard, and is further mechanically ineflicient' necessitating the replacement of the slats at frequent intervals as well as the ceiling ofthe product by the lubricants. This objectionable feature is overcome by the provision of a plurality of steel chains 64 `having lugs 65 on one side only and straight bars66on the opposed side. A guide channel is provided for the chainl to pass through, adapted to be adjusted and hold the slats in proper relation to prevent buckling, comprising a horizontal guide'member 63 having rig-ht angle projections. VThe lower projection is designed to CII seat a guidebar (S8-to support and guide the chain. The vertical guide bar is made secure by an angle support 67. Adjustment of the guide bar 68 is made throug'hfthe medium of a lock bolt 69 having nuts 7l", 72, provided in the lower horizontal Piange of the vertical 6 by a boltI 75, operating Without resistance to the slat bed, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. The roller is supported on a stub shaft'which is eccentrically mounted so thatV it may be rotated to adjust theroller to increase or decrease the distancebetween the conveyor and the knife. An -.adjustment may be maintained by the set screw`76.

- The mode. of operation of this machine may bel readily understood. The stock 1S' placed'on the feeding-table L37 v.which .may be tilted to feed more easily.

The slats tOfare advanced on the :links 14 as shown in Figure 6 so that at the feed table the 'sharprpins 44 standV out tangent to the arc,y at the same time the adjoining slat with blunt Vpins 43I under the circleV are '-further removed.1 By this arrangement the operator I instead of being com'pelled'to push the meat intoV the orifice is able by advancingfthe stock over the slat, to allow the skin to be engaged by the Isharp pins and drawn by them into the orifice." During this operation by slightly retarding the advance of the-fat portion of the stock only' the skin is engaged by the pins allowing the fat to be severed from the rind vat the. actual point of adhesion.

The stock advancing on the slats will come in engagement with the cutting mechanism shown in Figure 3. The knife blade 31 will sever the stock at the point of adhesion of the fat and the rind and held firmly by tension spring 84 will crease out the irregularities of the skin and prevent cutting therind or allowing any fat to remain. `The fat thus severed from the rind is discharged through chute 77. The tension is regulated by the screw 8l Vwhich may be quickly released for adjustment by removing the hook member- 83 after which operation it may be restored by replacing the hook.

When the stock has reached the discharge end of the machine the slats separate to release thel skins as shown in Figure 8. The slats being set off center move apart obliquely 'cau-sing their release from the blunt pins to be more positive. The sharp pins are further withdrawn at this point allowingthe skin free to drop from the machine.

The slatsare firmly held on an even surface as shown in Figure 9, wherein chains are adapted to rest in guide channels 63 and 68 having an adjustment vmechanism 69 to hold the slats in proper relation to the cutting mechanism and prevent buckling. The

channel is in direct line with thevdraught' of the 'chain allowing the use of the slat bed for its full Width without soiling the product. f f

- There is accomplished by this invention an improved Skinning machine embodying reiinements adapted to increaseits efficiency and render the operation thereof less hazardous than in the past. At the point where the stock is received there is provided an adjustable feeding mechanism designed to receive the meat so as to hold it in such a position that the fat may be severed from the skin at the actual point of adhesion. Y The severing operation is performed by a cutting mechani-sm held under tension adapted to crease f rout the irregularities and prevent cutting the skin or allowing fat to remain adhering to it. The slats are of such construction as to facilitate the reception of the stock and allow ready discharge of the skin after lthey have passed through the machine. c

There isfurther accomplished an improved skinnin'gmachine having a conveyor mechanism held on an even plane to prevent buckling and capable of being utilized its'full width without soiling the product.

While I have shown and described the preferred' embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of V`constructionherein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled inthe art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or 'exceeding the scope of the appended claims. v

I claim: y

V l. A Skinning machine comprising means for cutting skin from meat, a conveyor adapted to move the meat to said cutting means, said conveyor comprising traction members formed of a plurality of links, and conveying elements mounted olf center, relative to said links, pins mounted on said conveying elements and adapted by virtue of the off-center mounting of the said elements to pierce the skin of the meat and the conveyor. f

2. A Skinning machine comprising means for cutting skin from meat, a conveyor adapted to move the meat to said cutting means, said conveyor comprising a plurality of slats, a plurality of blunt pins positioned on one edge of the slats, a plurality of sharp pins positioned on the other edge of the' slats, the sharp pins of one slat adapted to cooperate with the blunt ypins of an adjacent slat to grip the skin to be separated.

3. A Skinning machine comprising means for cutting skin from meat, a conveyor adapted to move the meat to said cutting means, said conveyor comprising a plurality grip it to v of slats, a plurality of sharp pins on one edge of each of the slats, a plurality of blunt pins positioned on the other edge of each of the slats, the sharp pins of one slat adapted to cooperate with the blunt pins of an adjacent slat to grip the skin to be separated, and means for releasing the pins from the skin.

4. A Skinning machine comprising a cutting element, a conveyor for moving material to be skinned relative to said cutting element,

a plurality of rollers positioned adjacent 6. In a machine of the class described, a'

cutting mechanism, means for moving material to be skinned relative to said cutting mechanism,- said cutting mechanism comprising a blade holder pivotally mounted, a blade carried thereby, means for limiting the movement of said holder and blade toward said conveyor and means for forcing said holder and blade toward said conveyor.

7. In a machine of the class described, a cutting mechanism, means for moving material to be skinned relative to said cutting mechanism, said cutting mechanism comprising a blade holder pivotally mounted, a blade carried thereby, resilient means for forcing said holder and blade toward said conveyor, means carried by the holder for adjusting the tension of said resilient means, and adjustable means carried by the holder for limiting the movement of the holder toward said conveyor. Y

8. A Skinning machine comprising a frame, a cutting mechanism, a conveyor for moving material to beV skinned relative to the cutting mechanism, said cutting mechanism comprising a blade holder pivotally mounted on the frame, a socket adjustably mounted on said blade holder, and a resiliently actuated member adapted to be detachably received in said socket to resiliently retain the blade holder in a predetermined position.

9. A Skinning machine comprising a cutting mechanism, a conveyor for moving material to be skinned relative to said cutting mechanism, said conveyor comprising a plurality of links, a slat carried by each link, a bar slidably mounted on each of said slats, a plurality of pins in said bar adapted to engage the skin of material to be skinned, and means adapted to be actuated by a cam on the frame of the machine for operating the pin carrying bar to elfect disengagement between the pins on skin.

10. A Skinning machine comprising a cutting mechanism, a conveyor for moving ma? terial to be skinned relative to said cutting mechanism, said conveyor comprising a lurality of links, a slat carried by each lin a` bar slidably mounted on Ieach of said slats, a plurality of pinsv in said bar adapted to engage the skin of material to be skinned, means y urging said bar in inoperative position, a shift bar carried by said slats for retaining said pin bar in operative position and means for shifting the bar, to permit the pin bar to move to inoperative position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

VWILLIAM H. OCONNOR. 

